Each year, Arizona students in third through eleventh grade take the AzMERIT standardized test. Although not required for graduation or promotion, passing scores are used as a measure by administrators for school performance and in some cases as a marker for prospective parents seeking schools.

The majority of Arizona students performed poorly this year with just 41 percent of Arizona students receiving passing grades, and many northern Arizona schools were no exception. …

Williams High School made strides this year and surpassed the state average in both English and math. The results showed that 39 percent of students passed the English portion and 37 percent passed the math portion. The state average was 35 for math and 30 for English.

Students at Williams High School and Williams Elementary-Middle School will be seeing a familiar face roaming the halls and walking the school grounds this week as Officer Dwaine Simpson steps into a new position as the student resource officer for the school district.

Simpson, who has been a patrol officer with the Williams Police Department for 11 years, accepted the position this fall and recently returned from training that certifies him for the position.

Williams High School graduate Alexis Santana was awarded a $500 scholarship from Needles Elks Lodge #1608 May 1, following her graduation from Williams High School. Alexis will be attending the University of Arizona in Phoenix this fall.

With graduation two months away, Williams High School seniors were given an opportunity to meet with area businesses, organizations and families to learn about scholarship opportunities in the community March 20.

With several thousands of dollars in scholarships available, graduates were able to meet representatives from groups such as the Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge and Williams Education Association as well as individual supporters to learn about opportunities available to them.

Friends and employees of Grand Canyon Railway held a vigil Oct. 22 at the Babbitt-Polson Stage in Williams to honor Cathryn Gorospe, a Glendale kindergarten teacher who was reported missing Oct. 6. Cathryn worked as a seasonal employee for the Grand Canyon Railway. Her remains were found in Mayer Oct. 13.

Arizona school letter grades have been released by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) for the 2016-2017 school year, and administrators at Williams Unified School District are pleased with the results.

Both Williams High School (WHS) and Williams Elementary-Middle School (WEMS) received B grades from the Arizona Department of Education. The last time the grades came out — 2014 — WHS received a C and WEMS received a D.